Which statement below correctly describes a component of sexual reproduction? (1 point)
• Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
• One parent passes down the majority of genes an offspring will receive.
• Only dominant alleles are passed to offspring.
• Each parent has two alleles and they pass both down to their offspring.
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
The correct statement that describes a component of sexual reproduction is:
• Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
To determine which statement correctly describes a component of sexual reproduction, we need to understand the process of sexual reproduction and how genetic traits are inherited from parents to offspring.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two gametes (reproductive cells) to form an offspring. Each parent contributes one gamete, which contains genetic information in the form of alleles. Alleles are alternate forms of a gene that govern specific traits.
Now let's analyze each statement:
1. Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
This statement is correct. In sexual reproduction, each parent possesses two alleles for each trait, and they randomly pass down one allele to their offspring. This process contributes to genetic variation in the population.
2. One parent passes down the majority of genes an offspring will receive.
This statement is not correct. In sexual reproduction, equal genetic contribution is made by both parents. Each parent provides half of the genetic information through their gametes, ensuring an equal distribution of genes to the offspring.
3. Only dominant alleles are passed to offspring.
This statement is incorrect. While dominant alleles may be expressed in the phenotype of an organism, both dominant and recessive alleles can be passed down to the offspring. The expression of a trait depends on the interplay between dominant and recessive alleles.
4. Each parent has two alleles, and they pass both down to their offspring.
This statement is incorrect. In sexual reproduction, each parent passes only one allele per trait to their offspring. This random assortment of alleles from both parents during the formation of gametes leads to genetic diversity in the offspring.
Therefore, statement 1, "Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring," correctly describes a component of sexual reproduction.